This year, PAWS is working with our Wasatch 5th Grade teacher Mrs. Hatch on a holiday service project. We are putting together care packages for the Orem Foster Care program consisting of some basic items and a backpack/duffle bag. During the holidays, more children enter the foster system than at any other time of year, and this also coincides with the time of year when several organizations that work with the Foster Care program for the rest of the year focus on other holiday projects. Although the Foster Care program serves children of all ages, the greatest need is for children older than 8 and in particular for older teenagers. Children entering foster care often arrive at their foster care home with few personal belongings and often the little they have is contained in a garbage bag. This is a wonderful opportunity for us as a school community to work on a service project that is very needed.

Our care packages will consist of new: 

1. Underwear
2. Socks
3. Warm hat and gloves
4. A long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt
5. A soft toothbrush and full-sized tube of toothpaste
6. Period supplies for girls 12 and older
7. A card or board game that they can play with their family or foster family
8. A backpack or duffle bag to hold it all (this can be gently used)
9. A label visible from the outside that indicates the age and gender the kit is for
10. Any other small items that you wish to include

A WALMART wish list is available here, but you can put together items from whatever sources make the most sense for you.  We are asking for complete care packages to be donated to the school for COVID reasons. We know that for many families compiling all the items on this list may not be possible, and we are asking you to coordinate with your friends and neighbors to put together and donate entire kits. Another option is to donate to the PAWS venmo account and we will put together kits with any funds we receive there (The PAWS venmo account is @wasatchpaws, in the comments put: ‘foster care kits’).

Thank you in advance for your generous support of this project. We know that every kit we donate will make a big difference for one child this difficult holiday season. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Mrs.Hatch, carlee.dynes@gmail.com or burton.joyanne@gmail.com.

We will start accepting backpacks after the Thanksgiving holiday and hope to donate them in Mid December.